Disaster medical response system in Korea
10.5124/jkma.2019.62.5.252
- Author:
Jungeon KIM
1
;
Hyun Soo CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Disasters;
Emergency medical services;
Disaster medical assistance team
- MeSH:
Community Health Centers;
Disaster Victims;
Disasters;
Emergencies;
Emergency Medical Services;
Korea;
Medical Assistance
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2019;62(5):252-257
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Disasters have frequently been a problem in Korea. Many initiatives have been carried out to mitigate this problem and to respond to disasters properly. The National Medical Emergency Center organized the Disaster Medical Response Center, which operates 24 hours a day. Regional emergency medical centers were designated as hospitals that receive disaster victims. Along with the designated disaster hospitals, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, city and district governments, and community health centers were all assigned standard roles to carry out in case of disasters. Disaster medical assistance teams were developed to respond to disaster events in their regions. This system has enabled a more rapid and systematic response to disaster events, and has standardized disaster-related medical equipment and vehicles to ensure the proper treatment of disaster victims. Although many valuable systems have been developed to respond to disasters, practical training within each institution and community-wide team training are still lacking; therefore, the government needs to further develop and support such programs.
